The most important game may always be the next one for this Oregon squad, but make no mistake, a Week 5 showdown with Penn State has been circled on the Ducks’ calendar for months. 

As is typically the case in top 10, star-studded matchups, No. 6 Oregon’s (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) showdown with No. 2 Penn State (3-0) epitomizes the relative state of parity in college football.

If the controllables of each football game (penalties, busted coverages and tackling) are minimized by each team, the showdown could truly be decided by who makes the big play — or has the ball last.

Similarly, if one team suffers a key injury or is dealt a brutal penalty, fans could leave the game knowing little more than they do now. 

To serve Oregon its first regular season loss in nearly two calendar years, the Nittany Lions will look to rely on their one-two punch of running backs in Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. The pair combined to rush for 229 yards on 24 carries in the Big Ten Championship game and look just as potent through three games this season. 

Oregon’s offense will look to continue one of the most eye-popping — albeit against lousy competition — starts to a team’s regular season in recent memory. The Ducks have hung 69, 34 and 41 points on each of their FBS opponents this season. On the other side of the ball, the Ducks have allowed just 37 points across four games. 

Two of the best arms in the country will be behind center for each team, with Drew Allar leading a talented Penn State receiving core and Dante Moore looking to continue his hot start to the season. 

 “I think it’s a team that’s obviously extremely talented,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said of Penn State. “I feel good about our team. I really like our team. This will be a good environment for us to go play in. We’ll be playing people that have a lot of talent as well and a good scheme on both sides of the ball. It’ll be a real challenge for us.”

The atmosphere in Happy Valley will also be a challenge for this Oregon team, with Moore even saying he would reach out to former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix  —who played at Penn State while with Auburn in 2021 — for advice on managing a white out at Penn State. 

Another key storyline to look for is both teams’ head coaches, as Lanning and James Franklin are both looking for marquee wins in the young season. The narrative around Franklin remains rooted in the Penn State head coach’s struggle to win the biggest games of the year — a trend dating back far longer than Oregon has been in the conference. While Lanning will look to earn another signature win, heading into a “white out” themed Happy Valley and coming out on top.  

“They’re really talented,” Lanning said. “Schematically as challenging as anybody we’ll play, as far as what they present on both sides of the ball. They play with relentless effort. They play well on special teams. Coach Franklin’s teams are always well coached. It will be a real challenge for us, but one we’re excited to attack.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday.